Model year guide

2003 Buick Park Avenue

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Buick Park Avenue is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 16 on record.

2003 Buick Park Avenue — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Buick Park Avenue at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints36
Combined19–21 mpg
Typical price$3,477

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2003 Buick Park Avenue recalls 1

Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:lock NHTSA Campaign #02V328000 · manufacturer #02060 · 09/12/2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE MAY BE INSTALLED OR FORCED OUT OF THE PROPER POSITION.

Fix: DEALERS WILL SECURE THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE CABLE TO ENSURE THAT THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE OPERATES PROPERLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 19, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A RE…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2003 Buick Park Avenue common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2003 Buick Park Avenue safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Frontal crash test — 2003 Buick Park Avenue 4-DR. w/SABFrontal crash test
Side barrier test — 2003 Buick Park Avenue 4-DR. w/SABSide barrier test

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2003 Buick Park Avenue 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2003 Buick Park Avenue MPG & running costs

Combined19–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,775
EPA size classLarge Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Forced inductionSupercharged
Passenger volume111 cu ft
Cargo volume19 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,875 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2003 Buick Park Avenue worth?

Low
$1,050
Typical price
$3,477
High
$6,200

From 16 comparable 2003 Buick Park Avenue listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Buick Park Avenue costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,875
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,800
Total$21,675
Per mile$0.29

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($3,477) with the same model 5 model-years older ($663), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
206.7 in
Width
74.8 in
Height
58.3 in
Wheelbase
113.8 in
Curb weight
3,801–3,938 lb
Front track
62.6 in
Rear track
62.2 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2003 Buick Park Avenue — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 426

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 426.

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

Bulletin PIP5601C · Jul 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment…

Bulletin PIP5358D · Feb 2025

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Record…

Bulletin PIP4723J · Electrical System · Oct 2024

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures…

Bulletin PIT5099H · Sep 2024

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures…

Bulletin PIT5099H · Sep 2024

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in que…

Bulletin PIT3271P · Sep 2024

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exc…

Bulletin General Communication · Electrical System · Aug 2024

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more caref…

Bulletin 24-NA-141 · Power Train · Jul 2024

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce c…

Bulletin 16-NA-383 · Fuel/propulsion System, Engine · Jun 2024

This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.

Bulletin 18-NA-099 · Jun 2024

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PARK AVENUE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2003 Buick Park Avenue. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Other

On certain vehicles, the emergency trunk release handle may be forced out of the proper position. A person trapped in the trunk may not be able to release the trunk latch using the emergency trunk release handle. Correction: Dealers are to secure the emergency trunk release cable.

Transport Canada #2002235 · Dec 2002

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Buick Park Avenue

The Buick Park Avenue is a full-size car built by Buick. The nameplate was first used in 1975 for an appearance option package on the Electra 225 Limited. It became an Electra trim level in 1978 and its own model starting in the 1991 model year after the Electra was discontinued.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2003 Buick Park Avenue trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Ultra
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl

2003 Buick Park Avenue vehicles on record

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Other Buick Park Avenue model years

2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990

2003 Buick Park Avenue — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Buick Park Avenue have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2003 Buick Park Avenue. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Buick Park Avenue?

Across all 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, electrical system, tires.

What is the 2003 Buick Park Avenue safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2003 Buick Park Avenue crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Buick Park Avenue get?

The 2003 Buick Park Avenue has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 2003 Buick Park Avenue worth?

Comparable 2003 Buick Park Avenue listings run roughly $1,050–$6,200, typically around $3,477 (from 16 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.